The Niner faithful are finally able to see their precious team from San Francisco in the playoffs but after a long vacation from the post season, are the 49ers ready to play against the offensive machine that the Saints have? This is probably among the most exciting first round playoff competitions in the nfl and this January 14th fight in NFC will sponsor two teams who have certainly worked hard to get to this position. The 49ers were able to amass a 13-3 record whilst the Saints had the same record.
The Kings have their work cut out for them when they face the Rockets in Houston on January 13th. This is a condition of both squads reconstructing for the future as both squads look nothing like their early 2000′s heydays. The Sacramento Kings look to return to their former popularity in the west with standout play from their youthful stalwarts. The Houston Rockets are still coping with the fallout from the retirement of Yao Ming. The Houston Rockets are liked by 3 points by the oddsmakers and this looks to be a tough game to call.
On Jan 12th, things heat up when the Cleveland Cavaliers enter into Phoenix to battle against the Suns. A few seasons ago, this might have been an amazing contest with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head up in a collision course. In the age of free agency nevertheless, times surely have changed as this contest seems drastically different. Phoenix is favored by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this seems to be a secure wager.
Saturday night on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in this major contest between these two teams. It’s a tale of two teams as the Oklahoma City Thunder arrive in the game with a steady squad of young guns against the New York Knicks who it seems from year upon year always enters into play with plenty of changes going on. The New York Knicks are favored by 4 points and this might hold unless Durant has one of his standard killer matches.
The Staples Center is going to come alive on Jan 11th when the Heat competes with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat comes in with among the best records in the NBA bolstered by an excellent roster of stars. The Heat lead the NBA as a team in points landed and assists. The sportsbook has the Heat liked by 8 points and with the backcourt they contain, it is apparently a sure wager. Let’s have a closer look at the Heat this year and what they offer.
The Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own type of exhilaration, although this specific matchup may not have the same depth that its football version does. With the conference basketball year just arrived, both the Oklahoma Sooners and Cowboys will attempt to set the tone for the rest of their year with this match. In Oklahoma’s case, they will be looking to continue what has been a quality start as they concluded the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
On January 8th, postseason college football comes to Mobile, AL when the Red Wolves battle against the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both teams come up with rookie head coaches with the Northern Illinois Huskies helmed by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Interim head coach David Gunn who has been the running backs coach all season heads the Red Wolves. Arkansas State has opted for Gus Malzahn who will take over after the season ends. The take from the sportsbook is currently Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under set at 63 points.
It all boils down to this as the #1 rated LSU Tigers battle against the #2 rated Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January 9th. After winning the national tournament in 2009 and also winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this game. LSU head coach Les Miles is also no stranger at this time as he’s won the national tournament in 2007. Two excellent squads and head coaches meeting on a collision course in what will certainly be an excellent game. The sportsbooks currently have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under set at 40 points.
The Bengals will be competing versus the Texans in pro football playoffs. The Bengals will travel to Reliant Stadium in Houston for the match up. Cincinnati ended their year with a record of 9-7 and reached the playoffs this year as a wild card in the AFC North division. Houston ended with a record of 10-6 and came out ahead as the leading team in the AFC South this year.